Teen pop star HILARY DUFF suspects she fell victim to Ashton Kutcher's
pranks on his hit show PUNK'D because she disclosed her preference for Irish
actor Colin Farrell.

The 16-year-old SO YESTERDAY singer "freaked out" when a driving lesson
turned nasty after her teacher attacked another motorist, smashing his
headlights with a baseball bat.

Then, just when she thought her day couldn't get worse, she was car-jacked
by a thug who made off with her purse.

Duff later learned the whole episode - which aired in October (03) - was a
prank, and she has her suspicions as to why it happened.

She says, "When Ashton and I were filming Cheaper by the Dozen, AMANDA
BYNES and I presented together at (the Mtv Movie Awards). She was like, 'Ashton
looks hot,' and I said, 'Forget Ashton - look at Colin Farrell.'